Sarin and chlorine likely used in Syrian attack, watchdog says

The global chemical weapons watchdog has said the nerve agent sarin and toxic chemical chlorine were "very likely" used as weapons in two attacks in central Syria in March 2017.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OCPW) said its fact-finding mission probing alleged attacks in Syria found that "sarin was very likely used as a chemical weapon in the south of Ltamenah" in Hama province on March 24.

It added that chlorine was very likely used a day later at and near Ltamenah Hospital.

The OPCW's fact-finding team is not mandated to apportion blame for chemical attacks.

The organisation said its findings were based on witness testimony and analysis of samples.

The attack occurred as government forces, backed by planes and helicopters, were battling rebels in the area.

Days after the Latamneh attacks, sarin was used in a deadly attack at nearby Khan Sheikhoun, killing scores of people.

That attack was blamed by the now-defunct joint UN-OPCW investigative team on Syrian government forces. Damascus denies responsibility.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) reported the hospital attack last year, saying that the Latamneh surgical hospital - a facility built into a cave to protect it from air strikes - was hit by multiple barrel bombs.